Self-assembly connecting member

ABSTRACT

Provided is an assembly connection member including a body, and a cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted in the body. The cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a first cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of an upper body, a second cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of a side surface of the upper body, and a third cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of an opposite side surface of the upper body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connection member of a self-assembly toy, and more particularly, to a connection member of a self-assembly toy of a stair shape.

BACKGROUND ART

As toys for intellectual development of toddlers or children, self-assembly block toy sets including a plurality of blocks of various shapes that may be assembled to make any type of artifact are being widely used. Such a self-assembly block toy set allows a child to assemble an artifact of various shapes according to imagination, and may be repeatedly used, that is, disassembling the artifact and making another type of artifact, and the self-assembly block toy set helps brain activity and intellectual development of children by stimulating creativity and imaginative power of children. Blocks mostly have a connection member. The connection member may have various shapes according to an engaging structure or an assembling location.

In addition, connection members are provided in various shapes, and thus, children may assemble the blocks in various shapes or may assemble toys delicately. Toys of various shapes may be manufactured according to how to use which kinds of connection members, and imaginary power of the children may be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The present disclosure provides a connection member and a block of self-assembly toys of various shapes.

Technical Solution

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly connection member includes: a body having an upper body and a lower body, the body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and a cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted in the upper body and the lower body, wherein the cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a first cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of the upper body, a second cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of a side surface of the upper body, and a third cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of an opposite side surface of the upper body, wherein the side surface and the opposite side surface face each other.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, a block toy is capable of creating various shapes that are movable through coupling to a block toy including a motor.

According to the present disclosure, children may assemble blocks in various shapes by coupling block toys of various shapes and may fabricate toys delicately.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 are respectively a side view, an entire view, and an exploded perspective view of an assembly connection member of a kind, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 are respectively a side view, an entire view, and an exploded perspective view of an assembly connection member of another kind, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example, in which an assembly connection member of a kind and an assembly connection member of another kind are coupled to each other, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cylindrical rotary insertion member may include a first gear on a lower portion thereof, the first gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member may include a second gear on a lower portion thereof, the second gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the first gear and the second gear may be engaged with each other, and the second cylindrical rotary insertion member and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member may be connected to each other via a rod of a long cylindrical shape in a space in the upper body and the lower body.

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, when one of the first cylindrical rotary insertion member, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member, and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member rotates, the other cylindrical rotary insertion members may also rotate.

As another embodiment of the present disclosure, the cylindrical rotary insertion member may further include a fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of the lower body.

In this case, preferably, the first cylindrical rotary insertion member may include a first gear on a lower portion thereof, the first gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member may include a second gear on a lower portion thereof, the second gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member may include a third gear on a lower portion thereof, the third gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the first gear and the second gear may be engaged with each other, the second gear and the third gear may be engaged with each other, and the second cylindrical rotary insertion member and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member may be connected to each other via a rod of a long cylindrical shape in a space in the upper body and the lower body.

In this case, preferably, when one of the first cylindrical rotary insertion member, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member, the third cylindrical rotary insertion member, and the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member rotates, the other cylindrical rotary insertion members may also rotate.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. The embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. As the present disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope are encompassed in the present disclosure. When describing the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. In the accompanying drawings, sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced for clearing the present disclosure.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as “including,” “having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a block toy according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, a block toy of a circular shape is described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, that is, the block toy may be provided in various shapes, e.g., a triangular shape, a polygonal shape, a fan shape, a trapezoidal shape, etc.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 are respectively a side view, an entire view, and an exploded perspective view of an assembly connection member 100 of a kind, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The assembly connection member 100 of a kind includes a body, in which an upper body 110 and a lower body 120 are coupled to each other, a square protruding portion 130 on an upper surface of the upper body, and a square protruding portion 150 on a lower surface of the lower body. The upper body 110 includes protrusions 161, 162, 163, and 164 at corners thereof to be easily coupled to the lower body 120.

The upper and lower bodies 110 and 120 are cubic figures similar to a rectangular parallelepiped, an opening 160 of a circular shape is formed in a center of an upper body 110 and triangular protrusions 151 are arranged along a circumference of the opening 150. When another block toy or a motor is coupled to the assembly connection member, the triangular protrusions 151 may prevent the coupling from being difficult or prevent easy detachment along a surface of a cylinder.

The square protruding portions 130 and 160 on upper and lower surfaces of the upper and lower bodies 110 and 120 are formed as squares that are smaller than the upper or lower surface of the bodies 110 and 120. The square protrusions 130 are provided to make additional assembling of toys, magnet toys, motors, etc. easy, and may further include connection hinges 131, 132, 133, and 134 at centers of opposite longitudinal surfaces. The upper and lower bodies 110 and 120 also include two connection hinges in a pair of side surfaces facing each other.

Referring to the side view of FIG. 1, two connection hinges 121 and 122 are provided in one side surface, and two connection hinges are also provided in an opposite side surface (not shown). The connection hinges 111 and 112 are used in connecting and coupling of an assembling toy.

The upper body 110 includes openings of circular shapes in another pair of side surfaces facing each other. Referring to FIG. 5, an opening 140 of a circular shape is provided in a side surface, and an opening of a circular shape is also formed in an opposite side surface (not shown).

The upper body 110 and the lower body 120 include a cylindrical rotary insertion member 120 in a space therein. The cylindrical rotary insertion member 200 includes a first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 inserted to the opening 150 of the upper body 110, and a second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and a third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 inserted to the openings 140 in the left and right side surfaces of the upper body 110. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 may each include a male connector 262 therein, the male connector 262 having steps at an end thereof in directions of north, south, east, and west.

The first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 further include a circular stopper 220 for preventing the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 from escaping when being inserted to the opening 150 of the upper body 110. A first gear 222 having a toothed wheel on a side thereof is mounted to a lower portion of the circular stopper 220. The first gear 222 of the toothed wheel shape rotates engaging with a second gear 240 having a toothed wheel shape on a side thereof. An opposite side of the second gear 240 is attached to the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250. Also, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 are connected to each other via a rod 280 of a long cylindrical shape.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 rotates, the first gear 222 rotates in an identical direction with the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210. Accordingly, the second gear 240 rotates, and the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 rotate according to the rotating direction of the second gear 240.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when a block toy coupled to the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 rotates, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 also rotate according to a rotating direction of the block toy.

As an embodiment, when the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 or the block toy coupled to the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 rotates in a clockwise direction, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member rotates in a clockwise direction and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. Otherwise, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member may rotate in a clockwise direction and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 may rotate in a clockwise direction.

In other words, when the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 or the block toy coupled to the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 rotates in the clockwise direction, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 may be both configured to rotate in a forward direction. Alternately, both the second and third cylindrical rotary insertion members 250 and 260 may be configured to rotate in a backward direction. Also, when the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 or the block toy coupled to the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 may be both configured to rotate in a backward direction or a forward direction.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when a block toy coupled to the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 250 or the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 rotates, the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 and the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 or a block toy coupled to the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 260 and the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 210 is rotated.

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower body 120 includes semicircular holes 131, 132, 134, and 137 at a pair of side surfaces facing each other. In this case, the opening 140 in the facing side surface of the upper body 110 is inserted and coupled to the semicircular hole.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 are respectively a side view, an entire view, and an exploded perspective view of an assembly connection member 300 of another kind, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The assembly connection member 300 of another kind includes a body, in which an upper body 310 and a lower body 320 are coupled to each other, a square protruding portion 330 on an upper surface of the upper body, and a square protruding portion 530 on a lower surface of the lower body. The upper body 310 includes protrusions 361, 362, 363, and 364 at corners thereof to be easily coupled to the lower body 320.

The upper and lower bodies 310 and 320 are cubic figures similar to a rectangular parallelepiped, an opening 350 of a circular shape is formed in a center of an upper surface and triangular protrusions 351 are arranged along a circumference of the opening 350. When another block toy or a motor is coupled to the assembly connection member, the triangular protrusions 351 may prevent the coupling from being difficult or prevent easy detachment along a surface of a cylinder.

The square protruding portions 330 and 530 on upper and lower surfaces of the upper and lower bodies 310 and 320 are formed as squares that are smaller than the upper or lower surface of the bodies 310 and 320. The square protrusions 330 are provided to make additional assembling of toys, magnet toys, motors, etc. easy, and may further include connection hinges 331, 332, 333, and 334 at centers of opposite longitudinal surfaces. The upper and lower bodies 310 and 320 also include two connection hinges in a pair of side surfaces facing each other.

Referring to the side view of FIG. 4, two connection hinges 321 and 322 are provided in one side surface, and two connection hinges are also provided in an opposite side surface (not shown). The connection hinges 321 and 322 are used in connecting and coupling an assembling toy to another toy.

The upper body 310 includes openings of circular shapes in another pair of side surfaces facing each other. Referring to FIG. 6, an opening 340 of a circular shape is provided in a side surface, and an opening of a circular shape is also formed in an opposite side surface (not shown). Protrusions 341 are arranged in the opening 340 to be attached to/detached from a block toy.

The upper body 310 and the lower body 320 include a cylindrical rotary insertion member 400 in a space therein. The cylindrical rotary insertion member 400 includes a first cylindrical rotary insertion member 410 inserted to the opening 350 of the upper body 310, a fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member 510 inserted to the opening 550 of the lower body 320, and a second cylindrical rotary insertion member 450 and a third cylindrical rotary insertion member 460 respectively inserted to the openings 340 in left and right side surfaces of the upper body 310. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 410 and the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member 510 are formed as female connectors, and respectively include triangular protrusions 411 and 511 on upper circumferences thereof.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 450 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 460 may each include a male connector 462 therein, the male connector 262 having steps at an end thereof in directions of north, south, east, and west.

The first cylindrical rotary insertion member 410 further include a circular stopper 420 for preventing the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 310 from escaping when being inserted to the opening 350 of the upper body 310. A first gear 422 having a toothed wheel on a side thereof is mounted to a lower portion of the circular stopper 420.

The fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member 510 further include a circular stopper 512 for preventing the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member 510 from escaping when being inserted to the opening 530 of the lower body 320. A third gear 442 having a toothed wheel on a side thereof is mounted to a surface of the circular stopper 512. A second gear 440 having a toothed wheel on a side thereof is mounted on the second cylindrical rotary insertion member 450. The second cylindrical rotary insertion member 450 and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member 460 are connected to each other via a rod 480 of a long cylindrical shape.

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 410 or a block toy connected to the first cylindrical rotary insertion member 410 rotates, the first gear 422 also rotates. When the first gear 422 rotates, the second gear 440 engaged with the first gear 422 also rotates, and when the second gear 440 rotates, the third gear 442 engaged with the second gear 440 also rotates.

As an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first gear 422, the second gear 440, and the third gear 442 are rotated engaging with one another, each of the gears 422, 440, and 442 is configured to rotate when one of the first, second, third, and fourth cylindrical rotary insertion members 410, 450, 460, and 510 that are directly or indirectly attached to the gears rotates.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example, in which an assembly connection member 100 a of a kind and an assembly connection member 300 a of another kind are coupled to each other, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the assembly connection member 100 a of a kind or the assembly connection member 300 a of another kind rotates through a female connector or a male connector, a female connector or a male connector coupled thereto or a block toy assembled with the female or male connector also rotates.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims. 

1. An assembly connection member comprising: a body having an upper body and a lower body, the body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and a cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted in the upper body and the lower body, wherein the cylindrical rotary insertion member comprises a first cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of the upper body, a second cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of a side surface of the upper body, and a third cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of an opposite side surface of the upper body, wherein the side surface and the opposite side surface face each other.
 2. The assembly connection member of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a first gear on a lower portion thereof, the first gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a second gear on a lower portion thereof, the second gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other, and the second cylindrical rotary insertion member and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member are connected to each other via a rod of a long cylindrical shape in a space in the upper body and the lower body.
 3. The assembly connection member of claim 1, wherein, when one of the first cylindrical rotary insertion member, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member, and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member rotates, the other cylindrical rotary insertion members also rotate.
 4. The assembly connection member of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical rotary insertion member further comprises a fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member inserted to an opening of a circular shape formed in a center of the lower body.
 5. The assembly connection member of claim 4, wherein the first cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a first gear on a lower portion thereof, the first gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a second gear on a lower portion thereof, the second gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member includes a third gear on a lower portion thereof, the third gear having a toothed wheel on a side thereof, the first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other, the second gear and the third gear are engaged with each other, and the second cylindrical rotary insertion member and the third cylindrical rotary insertion member are connected to each other via a rod of a long cylindrical shape in a space in the upper body and the lower body.
 6. The assembly connection member of claim 5, wherein, when one of the first cylindrical rotary insertion member, the second cylindrical rotary insertion member, the third cylindrical rotary insertion member, and the fourth cylindrical rotary insertion member rotates, the other cylindrical rotary insertion members also rotate. 